As we all know, Valentine's Day is a commercialized, overrated and stressful holiday that puts pressure on men to express their love in clichéd and expensive ways. It also excludes and alienates those who are single, unhappy or uninterested in romance.
Valentine's Day is supposed to be a celebration of love and romance, but for many men, it's a nightmare. Why? Because they are expected to do all the work, spend all the money, and get nothing in return. Men have to buy flowers, chocolates, cards, jewellery, and other gifts for their partners, spend hours browsing online or in stores, trying to find something that will please their significant other, and avoid the wrath of getting the wrong thing. And they have to pay a premium price for these items, because the demand is high and the supply is low.
Men have to plan a romantic date, which usually involves making reservations at an expensive restaurant, dressing up in uncomfortable clothes, and enduring awkward conversations with strangers. They have to pay for the meal, the drinks, the tip, and the parking. And they have to pretend to enjoy the food, even if it's bland or overcooked.
They have to act like they are madly in love, even if they are tired, stressed, or bored. And they have to perform in bed, even if they are not in the mood or have other things on their mind. Such as how much lighter their wallet suddenly is.
That's why I say enough is enough; I propose that we ban Valentine's Day altogether and replace it with a much more fun and inclusive celebration: National Simon Pegg Day.
Who is Simon Pegg, you ask? He is a brilliant actor, comedian, writer and producer who has starred in some of the most hilarious and awesome movies of the past two decades. He is best known for his roles in the Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End), the Mission: Impossible franchise, the Star Trek reboot series and many more. He is also a geek, a feminist, a humanitarian and an all-around cool guy.
Why should we celebrate him instead of Valentine's Day? Apart from the fact that it's his birthday for starters, he is way more fun and entertaining than a box of cheap chocolates or a bouquet of roses from a garage that wilt after a week. His movies are full of action, comedy, satire, horror, sci-fi and even romance (but not the cheesy kind). They are perfect for watching with your partner, your friends or by yourself. They will make you laugh, cry, scream and cheer.
Secondly, he is a role model for creativity, courage and kindness. He has written and produced many of his own films, often collaborating with his best friend Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright. He has also taken on challenging and diverse roles, such as playing Scotty in Star Trek, Benji in Mission: Impossible and Unkar Plutt in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He has also used his fame and influence to support various causes, such as mental health awareness, animal rights and refugee relief.
Thirdly, he is a symbol of friendship, loyalty and love. He has been married to his wife Maureen since 2005 and they have a daughter named Matilda. He has also maintained a close bond with his co-stars and friends, such as Nick Frost, Edgar Wright, Tom Cruise and many others. He has shown that love is not limited to romantic relationships, but can also be found in platonic ones.
So how can we celebrate National Simon Pegg Day? Here are some suggestions:
- Watch one or more of his movies with your loved ones or by yourself. You can choose from his classics like Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, or his newer ones like Ready Player One or Slaughterhouse Rulez.
- Cosplay as one of his characters or wear something related to his movies. You can go for a zombie look from Shaun of the Dead, a cop look from Hot Fuzz, a Starfleet officer from Star Trek or a spy look from Mission: Impossible.
- Share your favourite Simon Pegg quotes, memes, gifs or videos on social media. You can use the hashtag #NationalSimonPeggDay to spread the word and show your appreciation.
- Donate to one of his favourite charities or causes. You can find out more about them on his official website or social media accounts.
- Send a card or a gift to Simon Pegg himself. You can find his fan mail address on his website or IMDb page.
I hope you agree with me that National Simon Pegg Day is a much better alternative to Valentine's Day. It is a day to celebrate humour, adventure, creativity and love in all its forms. It is a day to honour one of the most talented and awesome people in the world. It is a day to have fun and be happy.
So what do you say? Are you ready to ditch Valentine's Day and embrace National Simon Pegg Day instead? Trust me: it will be the best decision you ever make.
And if you don't agree with me, well...you've got red on you.